Barcelona set to lose Marc Casado for crucial end-of-season run due to injury

As reported by Spanish outlets Sport and Marca, Casado has torn the external ligament in his knee, a delicate injury that will require time to heal. For now, the Spanish national team has already announced his withdrawal from the squad for the Nations League quarter-finals against the Netherlands. Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia will replace him.

Two months out at this stage means missing El Clasico on matchday 35, the Barcelona derby on matchday 36 and the La Liga encounter with Villarreal on matchday 37.

In other words, Casado would miss a potential Copa del Rey final and would return just in time for the final weeks of the title race. He would also miss any progress in the Champions League, with the semi-finals ending on 6th and 7th May.

In his first full year with the senior team, Marc Casado has become a pivotal player for Barcelona under Hansi Flick. The academy player took Frenkie de Jong's place and established himself alongside Pedri in the midfield. Before his injury, he had racked up 2,447 minutes across 36 matches, 29 of them as a starter, scoring one goal and providing six assists.

Initially, Marc Bernal was Flick's first choice, as demonstrated by his starting role in the first three league games. However, the severe knee injury of the 17-year-old opened the door for Casado, especially as the club had failed to recruit a replacement due to the delicate financial situation. In this context, Casado emerged as one of Spain's finest midfield talents.

His performances earned him a call-up to Luis de la Fuente's squad again. The La Masia product made his debut with the senior team last November, when he was selected for the Nations League group stage matches against Denmark and Switzerland.

Now, an injury forces him to miss his second international camp with La Roja and denies him a crucial moment of the season with Barcelona. Flick will need to find solutions from within. In this scenario, Frenkie de Jong must step up alongside Gavi to fill the shoes of a key player like Marc Casado.